Rod clamp tool



' Dec. 7, 1948. B] BURNER 2,455,557

ROD CLAMP TOOL Filed Aug. 20, 1946 I 4 Sheets-Y-Sfiet 1 B/hghamf-T Burner" *Dgc. 7, 1948. 7 BF. BURNER 2,455,557

ROD CLAMP TOOL I Filed Aug. 20, 1946 93 5079/7057 FT Bur/76f W E e! Dec. 7, 1948. I BURMNER 2,455,557

ROD CLAMP TOOL Filed Aug. 20, 1946 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I A g m a Q {3 o m In: \\L N QJW Patented Dec. 7, 1948 UNITED ROD CLAMPTOOIL Bingham F. Burner, Arlington, Va. Application August 20, 1946, Serial No. 691,684

This invention relates generally to improvements in apparatus for applying and bending bodies to be secured or tied fastening devices to together. i i i The apparatus of the present invention isdesigned primarily for use in cement and concrete engineering in connection with* the fastening together of reenforcing elements and it is a primary object to provide an apparatus of this character,

for placing tying or fastening units in position and subsequently bending or closing thesame.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of i the character stated which is designed to carry a number of the fastening units and to feed the same individually to thework and deform or bend the same in a prescribed manner to form thetie.

Still another object of thewinvention-is to provide an apparatus of the character stated which is so designed that it maybe carriedby aworkman from place to placeand readily set or cated in working position and having hand operated actuatingmeans whereby a tying or fastening unit is brought into proper position with respect to the Work to be secured and thenfixed to the Work to firmlysecure adjacentparts of the work together. i i i i Still anotherobject of the invention is to pro vide an apparatus of the character set forth which includes a magazine forcarrying :a number of fastening units, means for feeding such units individually from the magazine to the work, and means for bending the fed unit into locking position upon thework. i i i A .still further object oftthe invention isto provide an apparatus of the character above described, wherein anovel means is employed for drawing together two pieces of work in advance of the application thereto of the tying unit,

. whereby a tight joint or coupling is effected between the Work pieces and maintained by the appliedunit. i i i i :1

A i still further and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a hand operated tool for effecting the application of deformable tying units or clips to concrete reenforcing rods 28 Claims. (01. 140,-)

atcrossingpoints or at overlaps, to securelylock and wherein means forms apart] of such jaws, for t tightly drawing together the reenforcing rods or bars during the application of the tying fastener orclip thereto.-

A still further object of the invention is to provide a magazine tool of the character stated for feeding deformable fastening units or clipsj for applicationto concrete reenforcing rods or other elements to be coupledtogether by the clips, having co-acting bending jaws designed toengage and bend into looking or tying position, legs of such c1ips,and having a novel means for automatically controlling the bending force of the jaws upon the legs of the clips in accordance with the sizes of the reenforcing rods to which the clips are applied. i

Still another object of the invention is to pI0- videatool of the character stated having means for individually ejecting fastening :units of the character described from a magazine, to be acted upon by bending jaws and wherein the said ejecting means has the subsequent auxiliary function of co-acting with saidjaws to press and hold such fastening units in applied position in opposition to a forcevapplied by elements of the jaws, lwherebyto effectthe squeezing together of two or more bodies to and around which the fastening unit is shaped by the jaws. i Other objects and-advantages of the present invention will: become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will behest,understoodfrom a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connectionfwith the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthe specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showing of the drawings butmay be changed or modified so long as suchuchanges or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended "claims.

In the drawings: i t e t Figure lis a view in perspective of a pair of the fastening devices of one type which the present tool is designed to handle, showing the man,-

' ned in which the devices arejoined or nested together to be fed from the tool magazine.

intheclosed position or the position of the parts at the finish or completion of the clip applying operation. 1 i i i i t Figure 3 isa view in side elevation of, the tool showing the actuating handle or lever in open position, the tool beingin its initial applied position ready for operation to fix a clip in place,

apart of thetool structure being broken away.

tially upon the line h of Figure 3, the same be ing on an enlarged scale.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken substantial-.---

1y on the line 88 of Figure 7 and extending to the upper ends of the jaw arms, the po'siti'e'n of two parallel rods being illustrated inthe, tool ready to be fastened together and the position of a transverse rod being shown in dotted: lines;

Figure 9 is a view corresponding to Figure 8 but-showing the-jaws in closed position and' illustrating the manner of-bendingof 'a cl-iparound two parallel rods, and also illustrating the mannerzin which theclip istpressed-idown bythe'ejector fingers while-thelegsof'the-clip are being bent.

Figure 10 isaviewdnzbottomplan of the tool;

thenjaws being openedqonsep'arated as shown in Figured Figure llis-azviewalooking at the innerside of onejaw member showing-the removable engaging and bending fingers which operate upon the legs of a=;clip in the manner shown in- Figure: 9.

Figure 12. is a. detailed. perspective view of a portion of the yieldable coupling between the operating lever and the rockiplates.

FigureitB .isl azview in planot a pair of bending jaws or fingers-designed to :be'used'in association with clips havingsstraight legs.. 1

Figure 1451s a sectional view taken on therline M,-l 4-of Figure 13 andrs'howing the manner in. which the jaws function in the bending ofv a clipto position,

Figure 15 is a view' iii-perspective of a-Qstraight legivclipi inhssoci-ationwith which the bending. jaws oiFigures'liiiand'd4=are"used. 1

Figure 16 is-a=yiew.in. plan of :a: blank for a. clip of the character shown .inFigure '1 :showing the offset relation: of one .pair of legs to: the other.

The apparatus forminiga thei.present-' invention is designed primarily forna'pplying:fdur-pronged or four-legged fastening: devices, such as those disclosed in.myapplication":Serialv No. 609,430, filed August 7, 1945; which. was 'abandonediand re-filed' August 6, .1946 under' SerialNo.v 6881665,

andathereris shown'in Figurerl a'pairof one'em bodiment of such fastenershown in the application; referred to, which is so'designedthat'any number thereof .rnay be. nested andlocked togethereby.frictionalengagement of the legs one with the other, to be fed from-the: magazine 'of the apparatus, hereinafter described, alldfibellt into'iocking position by the jaws of 'theapparatus.-

The fastening devicezillustratedin duplicatein. Figure 1 is generallydesignated.Fandcomprises a central body or saddle portion" luwhich isof arcua'te' cross sectionaandi has the opposite' side edgescurved or bowedi inwardly as indicated at H. Each end of this central saddle portion 10" is formed integrally with an arched portion l2 which forms anintermediateconnection betweentwo divergently'reiateddegs13. Each of these legs at its free end terminates inthe reversely bent portion or hook l4 and the legs throughout- 4 their length, and the arched portion 12 connecting them, are pressed or formed to have a substantially V cross sectional design so that, as will, be readily seen, when one fastening device is placed over and upon the other the under or ribbed sides of the legs of the uppermost device will slide into the outer or channeled sides of the corresponding underlying device and it will be readily seen that any number of these fastening devices can thus-- be placed together to form a stick which may be readily placed into a feeding magazine such as the magazine of the apparatus about to be described.

As illustrated the feeding and bending apparatu's for tyingdevices such as those shown in Figure l, comprises a tubular body portion which is generally designated 15 and which forms the ina'gazine into which a number of the assembled fastening or tying devices are placed. This magazine may be openatd-ts top' end and the fasteningi device'sfifed downwardly by gravity or suitable means maybeemployedfor closingthe top end of the magazine and for forcibly urging the fasteners to the lower or discharge end.-

I The magazine is, in cross'sectionaldesigmsub stantially'inthe' form of the letter H and itcomprisesthe' side walls l6 and the lateral walls H.

The lateral walls are pressed inwardly in a plane midway between the-side walls to form thevchannels lit. The opposing-or facinginner sides of these channels, a-re spaced apart'as clearly shown in Figure I, and'inthissp'ace or between the facingl ,innersurfaces of the channels I 8- the central portion W of the fastening devices position and as-will: be readily apparent, when the fastening device is placed in the magazine-each parallel pair-of legs will straddle a channel-r18, the innersideoi-whichfornis afguide rib, and thus the fasteners will be: maintained in proper position to move throughthe magazine to the lower or outlet end thereof.

At the lower end of the magazine; each of the sidecwalls. l-G' has-the centralrecess lil'formed therein andithe lower ends of thelate'ral walls IT alsohavexopenings through the bottom edges forming the recesses 20. The lower-ends: of the recesses ['9 and: the recesses 20 are flared or'e'nlarged as shownrespectively at I9 and 20' to facilitateetheapplication' of the apparatus to reenf'orcingrirodsto which the fasteners. are to be applied, andalso to allow for themovementof certain elements of the jaws, hereinafter de'-' scribed.

The reenf'orcing rods, arranged'in crossed relation, are-designated 21 and 22, the rod 2| being shownpassing through or lying in the recesses 20 and, therefore";perpendicular-tome lateral walls l'l whilethe-loweir rod 22is shown lying in or passingrth'rou'gh the-recesses i9 and; therefore, perpendicular to the sidewalls I6. It is to be understood, however, that while the fastener applying apparatus isillustrated" in certain figures'as applied to crossed reentorcing rods, it mayalso be readily-applied to two or more rods lying in parallel relation where *itis desired to apply the fasteners" inthe forming of 'a' splice."

The lower part' 'of the magazine l5, which is here shown as bein'gformed of relatively light or thin material, is, for the reenforcing and strengthenin of the structure;- enclosed in the reenforcing bandpr skirt 23 which is provided with. recesses 23d whichaline' with the recesses l9, and.' the recesses 23bwhichaline with the magazine wall recesses 20. The reenforcing band endsof the channels 18 so that itdoes not take;

the cross sectional"shape of .the. magazine but forms merely' a rectangular enclosure therefor.

Above the recesses 23b in the lreenforcing band,

the" magazine channel recesses 20. are extended to form the entrance slots 24 for ejector members hereinafter"described. These slots 24warenot greater in width than the channels, as shown in Figure 5 whereas the recesses 2|] areniaterially greater.

whboveeach of the reenforcingbandrecesses 23b a portion of such reenforcement is struck out as: indicated at -25 to formthedownwardly andin- 'wardly inclined camming shoulder 26a Each of these camming shoulders cooperates with'a down i wardly and inwardly inclined camming surface 21 formed upon. the underside of a body 28 which.

is carried'in thebottom of eachchannel at the top of the slot 24. The surfaces 26 and flare substantially parallel and function as a guide means to eiiect a desired movement ofthe hereinafter described ejector fingers. x l l l l l Extending upwardly from eachof the two sides ofthereenforcingband which lies against a side:

wall l 6 of the magazine is the relatively long. reenforcing plate 29 and adjacent tothe; upper end of each of these reenforcing plates, each is provided with the tapered opening 30 and these openings which'are axiallyualined transversely of the magazine have alined therewith openingsal formedwin the side walls of the magazine, the

peripheral portions of lwhich openings 3! are pressedinto thejtapered openings 30 so; as to establish alocking connection between the ,reen

forcingplates and the side walls. of the magazine. Th numeral 32 designates two pivotscrews ore ment in thewadjacentxopenings 30 while the outer ends are flanged as indicated at 35; These bearing sleeves 34 are maintained inposition by the nuts 36 which are threaded upon the outer endsofthe pivot studs. l l H l 2 The numerali 31 generally designates the os-- cillatable lever yoke. spaced parallel, slightly longitudinally arcuate arms 38 which are joined attheir outer ends by the transverseli bar .39, and the yoke plates 40 each. ofvvhich forms an integral part of the inner end of an arm. Each of the yoke plates 40in turn comprisesthe three horns 4 I, 42 and43, the horns and 43 being inopposed relation transversely of the plate while the horn .42 extends oppositely. to. the adjacent arm 38 in a linecex tending substantially perpendicularto the line of thehorns4land43ij l l The leveryokeflstraddles the lowerend portion er themagazine body atthe upper ends of the reenforcing plates 29 and each yoke platew is pivotally mounted upon a bearing sleeve 34 so that the yoke will be entirely supported for swingingmovement upon the pivot studs and bearing sleeves through which the studs pass. -The numeral generally designates the oper atingleverwhich is here shown as being in the This yoke l includes the angledslightly so that when the leveris in what parallel side'bars 45 and the hand grip 46 which connectsatwoends of the bars together. The

otherendof, each of thelever bars 45 is suitably apertured to receive a bearing sleeve 34, the bars being disposed atopposite sides of. the magazine body andrupon the outer-sides of the yoke plates 4|] as shown in Figure 5. Thus the operating leveris oscillatable upon the pivot studs 32 and is offsuch length that when the bars 45 are substantially parallel with the magazineibody, the hand gripi portion will be disposed above the upperend of the magazine body as illustrated in Figure 2. L'I'he upper ends of the bars 45 are may be termed closed position, where the bars 45 extendlongitudinally of the magazine body, the hand grip will be directed obliquely upwardly and outwardly away from the longitudinal center of themagazine. l l

As shown in Figure 5, the bearingsleeve flanges 35 bear against theouter sides of the adjacent lever bars 45 and. the lever yoke arms 38 bear the. adjacent reenforcing plates 29, suitable bear ing and spacing washers 4'! may be disposed, if foundnecessary.

Cooperating with the operating lever hand grip 46, is the fixedhand grip which is generally designated::48 and which is mounted upon the upper end of the magazine body and angled to extendupwardly and outwardly from the. hand grip 146 ;,so that when the operating lever is in closed position sufficient space or clearance Will be IQIOVitlBdlbBttVGGD the grips to prevent the strikingwtogethei" of the knuckles of the hands holding the grips. also gives clearance for loading the magazine. The numeral 49 generally designatesa substantially Ll-shapedcouplin yoke between the operating lever and the .lever yoke 31. This coupling yoke 49 comprises the sidearms 5D and the cross. connecting bar 5| connecting the. arms 50. together. The bar 5| lies against the inner sideof the yoke barl39 while the ends ofthe arms 50 are positioned upon the. inner sides of the bars 45 and are pivotallycoupled thereto by the pivot rivets52. l

The yoke bars 39 and 5| are provided with suitable alinedopenings, not shown, for the extension therethrough of "the .bolt 53, the inner or head end 540i which lies within the yoke 49 in spaced V relation 'With the bar 5|. Encircling the bolt 53 between the headfl and the bar 51 is a coil spring 55, of substantial strength and the bolt 53 is held against removal from the aperturesof the barsthrough which it passes, by the nut 56 which is threaded upon its outer end. The spring and the coupling yoke 49 form a. yieldable connection between, the, lever yoke 31 and the operating lever Mjwhereby undesired deformation of the legs of the fastening units is prevented, in the operation of the apparatus, as will be here-. inafter more fully described. t

E The, fastening unit ejector mechanism is generally designated 51. This mechanism comprises a sliding collar 58 which encloses or encircles the magazine body at the upper end of the reenforcing plates29.

Attached to the innerside of the ejectorcollar 58, facing each channel I8; is a relativelylong resilient elector arm59 which lies within the This positioning of the grips adjacent channel I 8 and extends downwardly to the adjacent offset or outstruck portion: of. the Ireenforcing band, as shown :in. Flgure SQ At its lower end each ejector arm. terminates in the inwardly and downwardly directed ejector finger 60: which lies in the space between the adjacent parallel camming surfaces. 26 and 2"! and which is beveled at its inner end to. form the fastening element engaging point or tip 6|. The tip [ill of each finger lies just outside thespace between the opposing faces of the channels 1 8, when the arms ar'e fully raised and the fingers are fully retracted. When the fingers are fully retracted the 'outer end of the under side of each: overlies orbears upon the camming surface 26 of the adijacent outstruck' :part of the reenforcing, band: and the top surface of the inner endof the finger engages the inclined camming face 21' of the body 28 which is adjacent thereto.

When a down thrust isuapplied to the ejector collar 58 the under side of the outer end of each finger 60, or What might be termed the heel portion between the finger and the arm, is thrust against the camming surface 26' and causes the finger to slide downwardly and inwardly into contact with the top of the central part or saddle H] of a fastening unit lying in the magazine. This inward movement of the fingers will force the points of the fingers together between: two fastening. units so that the beveled under sides of: the fingers will tendfito push down upon. the engaged "unit and after the fingers have moved inwardly to the proper 'extent, the outer ends thereof will slide off of the camrning surfaces whereupon the fingers and arms may move straight downwardly, the backsof the armssliding' against the inner surfaces of the adjacent sides of the reenforcing band as shown in Figure. 9. As is also shown in this latter figure: the. arms 59, when moving straight downwardly, will: have the points of the fingers 60 in relatively close relation and the under surfaces of the finger's will press down upon the'top :of the'en'gaged fasteningunit.

Also forming a partof the ejector mechanism is an operative coupling between" the lever :yoke plates' lll and. the ejector collarifi. This coupling means comprises an arm 62 which, as shown in Figure 3, may form an integral, angularicontinw ation of the upper end of one of the ejectoriarms although, as will be readily obvious, it mayforim a separate part coupled in any suitable manner with the ejector collar. Thisarm 6=2"isdisposed adjacent to a lateral side wall I! of the magazine body opposite from the coupling yoke 49 and also upon this side of the magazine is located the wrist pin 63 which connects together the home 42 of the .two yoke plates.

As shown in Figure 6, the horns 42 extend inwardly toward the center of the tool, which-construction allows for the free'movementpas't the ends of the wrist pin 63 of portions of one of the hereinafter'described jaws.

Between the horns 42, the wrist pin 63'c'a'rries a bushing 64 and mounted upon the bushing' and wrist pin is the bearing head 65 of arelatively long bolt 66 which extends longitudinally of the magazine, through an opening Bl iiithearm 62. This aperture or opening li'l in the laterally di rected arm 62 of the ejector isof suificient size to allow for rocking. movement of the bolt -66 therein and the under face of the bolt .ispro vided on a-line passing across the axial'centen of the opening -61, withv transverse-notches 68 in which engages a knife bearing69 which fomnsa 8. panel rm adjustment sleeve in which is threaded upon the lower end portion of the bolt on the enlarged threaded part II; This bearing-68 not only allows for slightrocking of the bolt with respect to the arm 62 but also forms alock 'between the arm and sleeve 1 0 which prevents accidentarturning of the sleeve and, consequently, accidental changing of the adjustmentof the sleeve and the tension imposed upon the helical spring; 12 which encircles the bolt above the arm 62.

As shown the bolt has a second sleeve thereon, designated 13, which is disposed above the arm 62' and which has the rounded head H which rests upon the top-of the armli-Z. 'Ih'elowerend of the spring 12' bears against this head while the opposite end of the spring. bears against the adjustment nut 15 which is threaded 'upon' the upper end of the bolt, on the threaded portion 'lfi' thereof.

At the; lower endof the magazine are the; two cooperating jaws-each of which is generally dess ignated TI. The jaws Tl are of duplicatepom struction and each comprises :a :body of substantially ll-shaped cross-sectional form, designated. la angd having the relatively wide back wall 18a and the sidewalls or flanges 181); Each :of the side walls or flanges 18b extends into the. up.- wardly-and outwardly or obliquely directedarms l9 and at the lower ends 'of these arms, theside walls or flanges 18b are formed to provide the inwardly-directed hinge ears 80. The hlnge='ears are each provided; withan aperture 8| while each of the arms 19 has 'an aperture 82 therethrough at or-adjacent to "its free outer end.

shown in Figure 1-1, which is a view looking into a jaw 11, one of the'sid'e flanges. of the jaw is in the plane of the'adjacent arm '19 while the opposite side wall of flange 18b is offset outwardl y from but parallel with the adjacent arm l9; Thus: when the jaws are. in assembled re lation with the concave sides facing one another so as to bring theh'inge ears 800i the two jaws into overlapping relation, the two arms 79 of one jaw-willbe in the plane of the .opposing:arms of the otherjaw and that flange 18b of onejaw which is in-the plane of the adjacent arm 19,will enter the oppositejaw'upon the innerside'of the flange 78b of' such opposite jaw and will lie in the plane of the'arrn '19 of the other jaw'whi'ch is ad jacent thereto'.

As will be readily apparent upon reference to Figures5 and 7, the jaws 1 when in assembled relation receive "between them and: betweenthe overlapping hinge :ears 80, the lower end portion of the magazine b'ody'in spaced relation with 'and parallel Wi-tihithe' side walls I6. Such side wall [6 and: the reenforcing plates 29 are provided respectively with the countersunk openings :83 and 84' to receive the flat headed jpivot'screw "85 which extends outwardly through the apertures 81 of thefihinge cars 80. The tops of the heads of the two'screws 85 will be flush withithe inner surfaces of the wall l6. through which thezs'crews pass.

Encircling each of the pivot screws. fli'is'th'e bearing sleeve '86, the outer end of which is flanged asindicated at 81 while the inner end bears against the adjacent reenforcing' plate 219 and while the inner ears-of the laws, which lie adjacent to the reenforcing plates -29, are separated from such plates by the bearing washer 88, the outer .faces of the outermost'ears 80=havethe adjacent bearing sleeve-flange thereagainst and the entire assembly isheldin place by thesecuri the bolt 53, to the lever yoke.

ing nuts 89, which are "threadedluponwthewouter ends of, thepivot screws 185. 1 i

Each of the; yoke plate horns 43 is pivotally coupled with an adjacent arm 19 oria jaWlIfiby a linkSB, While each of the other yokeyplatehorns 4| is operativelycoupled with an adjacent arm 19 of the otherjaw "by alink 9L: i l

When the operating lever 44 is swung outwardly away from the grip 4B the lever 1yoke 31 will be oscillated orswung downwardly; and the, horns 4| of the yoke plates will swing into POSitlOHabOVB the pivot screws 32 while the horns-43 will; swing downwardly to position below the pivotpscrews 32 thusbringing the horns .4 I. and 43 in substantially vertical alinement with thepivot screws as shown in Figure 3., This :action :operatesxthmugh the links 90 and 9|, toupull the arms wofy theytwo jaws 18 together thus swinging theujaws to separated or opened position; In the outward swinging movement of the operatinglever 44,

the coupling yoke ,49 -will be thrust directly against the cross bar 39 ofvthe lever yokeibut in l the backward swinging movementdoftthe operating lever 44 the coupling yoke will pull upon the outer end oimthe, spring 55,,and through this spring the pull will be transmitted, by way of This action allows for a degree of fiexibility in the toolin its action upon the legs ofthe fastening unit; in the manner about to be described. 1: 1 Q1;

The transverse or-webportion 18a of each jaw 11 has a relatively long: ori deeplongitudinally extending slot 92 formed, therein; which receives a mandrelplate as hereinafter disclosed which is formed to "receive one i of two; bars when thetool is applied to two crossed bars; Where thejclip is applied to two parallel bars toform a splic e, s1 1ch bars would be received onlyin theptwo slots [9 of l l the side wall I6 and the corresponding slots 23a of the skirt23. i e 1 y The lower end of each jaw side ;wall or flange 18b, is integralwith therelatively long, longitudinally arcuate finger 93. These fingers 193 of one, jaw move into parallel, side by side relation with the adjacent fingers of the other jaw when the tool is operated to :bend or shape the legs l3 of a fastening device under the lower one of two reenforcing rods; The tips ofythe fingers 93 have the top edges sloped as indicated at 94st) that the fingers when they strike the rounded under sides of the lower rods will ride under the rods and tend to former lift therods upwardly toward the opposingioverlying end ofthe magazine 15. Since thetrpdsif crossed,,lie one within the opposite recesses, 20 in the lateral walls J1 ofithe magazine and the, other in the opposite recesses i9 it will be seen that the upward movement of therods is limited with respect to the magazine and thus when thefingers ride under the lowermost rod of the pair, thetwo rods will be forced tightly together. At the same, time the ejector fingers will be in their lowermost positions as shown in Figure 9, so thatthey press downwardly and hold a fastening ufiitfirmly in position upon the topmostrod while the legs of i the unit are being bent under the lowermost rod.

Thesleeve 10 provides for an adjustment of l the space or distancebetween the wrist pin 63 and the arm B2 to adjust the relation of, the ejector fingers With respect to the jaws "I1 so as to assure the fingers being fully raised and shifted outwardly when thejaws arefully opened In addition to thelforegoing the adjustments possible by the use of the nut liand sleeve 10, allow for the regulation of the pressure applied by rod until the clip, tightly against theinner side of the web portion 18a as shown in Figures 8 and These mandrel plates are here shown as being secured and maintained in position on their respective jaws by the bolts Wand flanges 96 ofthe mandrel plate, but itwill qbe readilyobvious that any other suitable mountingand/or securing means may be employedif The lower end of each side of the arcuate or arched mandrel plate whicheach jaw carries; has extending inwardly therefrom the arcuatemandrel finger 98. These fingers 98 are of substantialxheight or width. The top edge of each mandreli finger 98, :through the major portion of its ll ngth, isbeveled from opposite sides to form the ,relativelysharp ridge 9,9 and this ridge is continned around the tip of the finger and along a portion' ofithe under edge, as is clearly shown in Figure 8. This ridged top-edge and forward end of each mandrel finger corresponds roughly with the V-shaped channeliorm of a leg of a fastener sothat,asthefastenerfis forced down into place the ends of the mandretfingers will ,engagein the channels of the adjacent legs and will maintain positive connection therewith as the legs of the fastener are bent into place in the manner illustrated, in Figure 9.,

The fastening units or clips F are formed with one leg of each pairpffset from the adjacent leg of the pair and with the offset legs diagonally positioned, Thus when the fastening clips or units have the four legs thereof engaged, in the channelled surfaces, by the edgesBS of the-thrust tips andvforced together, the, legs will pass one another inlbeing bent around beneath thelower- ,rriostirod. Since the mandrel fingersiare of sufficientlength to completely crossunder the lowermost one of the reenforcing rods it willbe seen thatthe reversely bent end I 4 of each fastening ,elip leg, I3, engagedby a thrust tip ofa mandrel finger, will beforced around under the lowermost drawn into fastening position. i i i i v The fastening hitsticnps F are releasably m aiintained in position in the magazineby the oppositely disposed yieldable holders I03. These holdersare secured opposite one another in the walls l6 inaplane betweenthe upper ends of the slots 49 andthe inwardly directed ends of i the ejector jfi njgers 60, when the fingersare in raised or retracted position. l

Asshown in Figure 5, each of theholders com prises ta cup H14 -which is exteriorly screw threaded at its open end and is threadedinto an opening I05 which is formedthrough th'e reenforcingband 23 and the "adjacent wall N5 of the magazine. ;;Within each cup I04 is an expansion spring I06 and slidably disposed in thevcup isa buttonplunger l 01 having the rounded or domeshaped head I 08 whichis projected into the magazine beyond the inner face of the wall 16. The

open end of the cup 104 issuitably formed or swaged aroun d the head, lll8uto limit the move- 11 merit of the head out of the cup into the magazine.

The pressure of the springs 106 upon the plung'ers of the holding devices 1 '3 is sufficiently great to support a mgazine rull-of the fastening the closed position shown in Figure -2 when the 1 *tastening devices are 'inserted'ft'he ejector fingers 6 0 Will -be in the extended position shown in Figure tend the jaws will be closed in the manner'also illustrated in this figure.

In order to make use of the apparatus after charging and when the operating lever is in the position stated, such lever 44 isswung outwardly "and downwardly away from the hand 'grip 4B, 'thereby'effecting the oscillation of the lever yoke 31 and the drawingtogether of the arms 19m the 'jaws TI effecting the separation oropening of the jaws as shown in Figure 8. This action swings the ejector horns 4-2 upwardly, sliding the ejector collars 58 up on the magazine and raising or retracting the ejector arms '58 and fingers t'll to the positions shown in this figure. As the -arms "-59 move upwardly the top surfaces will come into-contact with the inclined under faces 2'! of the bodies 28 which willfunction-as cams to shift the fingers and arms laterally to position over the inclined cam surfaces 26 of the parts 25. This lifting action of the-ejector fingers will first raise the fastening urritsuntilthe fingers fiil have been moved laterally after which the fastening units will drop back uponthe holder h'eads I08 ready to have the lowermost one ejected.

The jaws TI now being open and the operating lever 44 being swung outwardlyand downwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, the tool is ready for application to the crossed reeniorcing rodsor to a pair of parallel rods lying one above the other. Assuming that it is to be applied to a pair of crossed rods, it is placed in position there- "on at the crossing so that the uppermost rod *enters the slots or recesses "-4 317 at the lower "end of the magazine and the lower rodenters the lower parts of the recesses l9-Z3a. The tool is lowered on the cross rods until the uppermost one is at the extreme inner ends of the recesses 2ll23b so that the tool may be allowed to rest "directly upon therod. Th'e=operating lever-44 is now swung upwardly or "to closed position and this will efiect the oscillationof the yoke plates to bringthe jaws 1T together and to force the ejector arms 5'9and fingers 6'0 downwardly. 'As

the ejector armsmove "down, the pointsof the fingers will move downwardly and inwardly and will enter fromopposite sidesbetweenths'saddlelike portion ID of thelowermost and next highest fastening clip 'or unit. Continued downward movement-of the-fingers will cause the wedgin'g apart of the two lowermost units "and'will force the lowest one thereof pastthesprin'g retained holding heads H38 sothat such unit can drop down onto and in straddling relation with the "crossed underlyin rods. This brings the channelled sides of the legs of-the fastening unit into the paths of the tips of the mandrel -fin'gers 98.

The ejector fingers follow the top portion 10 "of the ejector clip downwardly andpress'thesam'e firmly against-thetop of the uppermostrod and at the same time the jaw nnge'rs 93 swing together beneath the lowermost rod, engaging the :same from the under side and pressing it up- :wardly :firm ly lagainst' the overlying rod. Thus the ejectori'fingers iltand the jaw "fingers 93 cooperate to hold the :rods tightly together and to holdi'the fastening clip firmly in position while the'l'e'gs of the-fastening clip are engaged "and ben t under the lowermost rod by the thrust 'fingersSB. 1

Since theyoke plates!!! must continue to oscill'ate "after-the ejector finger have moved to the extreme downward position where they press the 'top of the fastening clip upon the'top rod, itwill be seen that this continued movement is permitted by the action of the spring l2 which yields or is compressed as shown in Figure 2.

Where rods of relatively small diameter are being used, use will be made of clips or fastening devices of smaller size or having shorter legs so that the Lreversely bent ends of the legs may be pulled across beneath the lowermost rod'tothe fullest extent "to tightly tie the rods together, -betorethe mandrel fingers reach the limit of their movement i n crossed relation, as they are shown inFigure 9. i

the event that rods of larger diameter are "employed with' the same fastening clips as those shown in Figure 9, it will be readily apparent that the free'ends of'the clip cannot be moved under "th'edower rod to the same extent as shown in Figure 9 01', in other words, to the same extent permitted 'inthe use of smaller rods. In this :case, unless provision is made for checking the thrust action of the mandrel finger, after the cli p-legs have 'been bent'into place, damage to the implement might result, I Accordingly,- the yiel dabl'e coupling between the yok-es 31 and 39, comprising the springiiallows i'or the clo'singof the operating lever completely after the l'egs of the fastening clip 11 ave been bent tightly to position, if such tight bending should occur or be attained before the operating lever reaches'fully closed position. 1

Use may be made in the' present tool of clip devices having straight legs as shown in Figures 15 land 16., by replacing the mandrel units 95, upon the jaws, with units such as those shown in Figures Band -14. fit is preferred, however, to use the clips with the ends of the legs initially bent up'asshown in Figure l-because in certain working positions the turned up ends of the legs prevent the endsf-r-om digging or cutting into the surface of anunderlying f ormboard which may be -posi'ti'oned close to the reenf'orci-ng rod, and thus 'ithere would be'produced a blemished wall surface.

The replacement mandrels are designed for use in association with a "clipof the character shown in Figure T5 and generally designated F" and the legs it" of the clip-orfastener are channelled or of 'V' cross section, like the legs l3 of the clip In. Thesestraight legs l3 are reversely bent at their free-ends, by the mandrel units so that the tips of the mandrelfing'ers can exert the desired pull upon the legs to "bend them into position.

The mandrel units used in association with straight leg clips or fasteners are generally designated H0 and, like the mandrels 95, they comprise the slotted'or U-shaped plates 1 I l which are designed to position against "the outer sides of the jaws T1 and which have the inturned flange H2 to engage against the inner'sicle of the body 18 of the'jaw, like the flange 9B.

Each side portion of the mandrel plate 'body end of a finger I I4, as the III carriesa relatively long arcu'ate arm. II3

tinuing bending or shaping finger H4. "The reces'sed side face of each arm I I3 provides,ad;i acent to the inner end of the finger, an anvil surface I I 5 which is curved or arcua-te as shown inFigure 14, so as to properly bend the lower end of the fastened F, as shown in Figure 14, as the end of the fastener leg is brought thereagainst by the mandrel fingers come together. I

As shown in Figure 13 where the fingers of the mandreds are in closed relation, the recesses of the two arms of a mandrelare upon correspondtop and forward end edges of the fingers I I4 are ridged as indicated at I I8 so as to properly engage inth'e channel of a fastener leg to maintain the desired engagement therewith. I

It is believed that it win be readily apparent that in the use of the anvilcarrying arms of themandrels I I0, as the fingers of the mandrel arms come together they will firstengage in the c-hannelsof the straight legs of the clip or fastener F and bend the leg of the fastener around the under side of the lowermost reeni-orcingrod until the end of the leg contacts the face ofthe anvil I I5. The continued movement of each finger tip toward the opposing anvil will then cause the end of the leg to be curved or bentback in the shape shown inFigure 14: so that the desired thrust or pulling shown in Figure 15 will be effectively bent into 1 0- sition by the use of the replacable mandrels I I0 'in the manner stated, somewhat less effort is required in the operation of the tool, with the use of fasteners of the character shown in i Figure 1 where the ends, of the legs are already bent.

Itwill bereadilyseen from the foregoing that by the use in a tool of this character of a magazine of substantially H-shape, clips or fasteners ofdifferent Widths may be used and will be properly maintained in position and guided to the bending or shaping fingers of the mandrels.

1. An implement for securing to concrete reenforcing rods, fastening clips of substantially U-form and havlng spaced bendable legs; comprising a relatively long hollow body forming a magazine and having an outlet end, the magazine being formed at said outlet end to receive a rod and facilitating positioning the magazine substantially perpendicular to the rod for the -discharge of a clipinto straddling position on the rod, a lever pivotally mounted on the body, Inovable means carried by the body for engaging the legs of a discharged clip and bending the legs in crossed relation across the rod, and coupling means between the lever and said movable means for actuating themovable means. i

2. Animplement for securing to a pair of superimposed concrete reenforcingrods, fastening clips of substantially U-formand having spaced bendable legs, comprising a relatively long hollow body forming a clip carrying magazine and having an outlet end, the magazine being formed at said outlet end to receivethe rods to facilitate positioning the magazine perpendicular to the rods for the disdr-el fingers pivotally supported on the body for movement entirely across and beneath the lowermost one of the rods for engaging and bending the legs of a discharged clip in crossed relation beneath said lowermost rod, and an operative coupling betweensaid lever and the mandrel fingers for effectingthe swinging of the fingers.

3: An implement of the character stated in claim 2, with means for effecting a coupling between said fingers and the legs of a clip for holding the fingers and clip legs against relative lateral movement. I

4. An implement of the character stated in claim 2, with means carried by thebody and operating in cooperation with said fingersfor pulling said Superimposed reenforcing rods tightly tog-ethenduring the application of the fastening clip. I i I 5. An implement of the character stated in claim 2, with movable members coupled with and actuated by the lever for engaging beneaththe lowermost one of the rods to force said lowermost rod upwardly against the overlying rod during the application of the clip, and means for engaging andholding the clip down in position upon the uppermost rod during the bending of the legs beneath the lowermost rod.

6. An implement for securing to a pair of super-imposedflconcrete reenforcing rods, fastening clips of substantially U-form and having spaced bendable legs; comprising a relatively long hollow body forming a magazine for the clips, the body having an opening at one end forminganoutlet, means at said outlet end of the body for receiving the rods and facilitating the positioning of the magazine vertically thereover, a lever pivotally mounted on the body, means for releasably holding a series of fasten.-

ing clips in stacked position within the magazine for downward movement into straddling position over the uppermost one of the rods, means oper atively coupled with the lever for effecting the movement of a single fastening clip downwardly pastsaid supporting means and into straddling position over the uppermostrod upon oscillation of the lever inone direction, movable elements carried by the body for engaging and bending the legs of the clipbeneath the rods when the clip is in said straddling position, and an operative coupling between the lever and the clip leg engaging and bending means for the actuation of the latter upon movement of the lever in the said one direction.

- 7. An implement of the character stated in claim 6, in which the said means for engaging and moving a clip downwardly into straddling position over the rods, functions to apply down ward pressure to the fastening clip to hold the clip in position while the legs are being bent beneaththe lowermost one of the rods.

8. An implement of the character stated in claims, in which the said means forengaging and moving aclip downwardly comprises a pair of arms carried by thebody upon opposite sides rage 5,155?

:ward movemcnt o-f:the clip into the stated straddlingjposition over the;rods.

9'..An implement .of the character stated in "claim 6,:in which the said lever is of a length "to extend at its free end beyond the other end of the bodywhenrmoved to substantially parallel relation with the body, the said free end of the lever being disposed at an angle to extend obliquely to the length {of the body, and a hand gripsecured to the said other end of the body and-extending obliquely therefrom away from the %free end of the lever, the said other end of ithe body being open for the introduction of clips thereinto and the obliquely directed end of the leversand of the hand grip .facilitating the introduction of-the clips into the body.

'10. An implement for securing to a pair of super-imposed concrete reenforcing rods, fasten- :ing clips of substantially U-form and having spaced bendable legs; comprising a relatively .flongphollow body forming a magazine for the clips, the 'body having an opening at one end -:forming an outlet, the body having a cross sectional form of substantially H -shape providing opposite outwardly opening channels and inside spacedrparallel'guide ribs, said guide ribs engag- :ing'between legs of clips in the body to guide the :clips to the outlet, means at said outlet end of the body for receiving the rods and facilitating the-positioning of the magazine thereover whereby .a discharged clip will take a straddling positionzover-the uppermost one of the rods, a lever .pivotally mounted on the body, means adjacent :to said outlet :for releasably holding a series of :fastening clips :in position, means movable in :said channels for engaging a. lowermost clip of a series and moving the same downwardly past said holding-means, .anv operative coupling between the lever and the clip engaging and moving means, mandrel elements ,pivotally carried by lthebody for engaging and bending the legs of a clip beneath the lowermost rod after the clip is in said straddling position, and an operative coupling between the. lever and the-clip leg engaging and bending mandrel for the actuation -of=the latter upon movement of the lever in one :direction.

lLAn implement of the character stated in claim '10, in which "the said means for engaging and moving a clip downwardly past the releasable holding means includes a pair of inwardly directed fingers which are constructed to maintain hold-downengagement with a clip to maintain the clip in position upon the uppermost one of the rods, while the legs of the clip are being bent inwardly under the lowermost rod, and the .said coupling between the leverand the clip engaging and moving means including a yieldable element by which a limited continued movement of the lever is permitted after the clip engaging means is at the limit of its movement.

12. An implement of the character stated in claim 2, with coacting jaw members each disposed adjacent to a mandrel finger and extending in advance of the mandrel finger for engage- :ment beneath the lowermost one of the superimposed rods to force the same upwardly against the uppermost rod in advance of the bending of the clip legs by the mandrel fingers.

'13. An implement for securing to a pair of superimposed concrete reenforcing rods, fastening clips of substantially u-form and having two pairs of spaced bendable legs; comprising a relatively long hollow body forming a magazine for *a plurality of the clips, meansv within and. :ex-

itending: longitudinally of "the body forming guides each-of which is adapted to bestra'dd-l'ed by'apairof clip legs, the body having an opening-at one end forming an outlet, means at said outlet end of the body for receiving the rods and facilitating the positioning of the magazine t ereover and the outward movement of a dip into straddling relation with the rods, a lever ,pivotally mounted on the body, means for releasably holding a series of clips in position in thelmag-azine -for downward movement through the outlet, reciprocal ejector fingers carried by the bodytozengageand eject the lowermost one of the-clips in the magazine, a yieldable coupling between theleverand said fingers whereby the fingers .are moved downwardly toward the outlet upon oscillation of the lever in one direction, a

.pair'of'mandrels supported for oscillation on the body adjacent to the outlet end thereof, each of said mandrels including a pair of spaced bending fingers said bending fingers being adapted to move together beneath'the lowermost one of the rods to engage opposite pairs of legs of a .clipand bend the legs across the lowermost rods,

a-ndan operative coupling "between the lever and the mandrels for effecting oscillation of the man- =drels =and'cooperative movement of the mandrel said jaw arms being connected with the mandrels to move therewith and functioning to engage beheath and effect an upward thrust upon the lowermost rod in advance of the bending of the :clipdegs'by the fingers.

15. An implement for securing to a'pair of super-imposed concrete reenforcing rods, fastenin-gclips of substantially U-form and having two pairs of bendable legs; comprisinga relatively longrhollow body forming a magazine for a series of the clips, the body having an opening at one end forming an outlet, spaced guide ribs-within and extending longitudinally of the body for engagement between legs of the clips, a pair of ejector arms supported at opposite sides of the :body for movement longitudinally thereof, each of said arms terminating in an inwardly extending finger extending through a slot to the interior of .the magazine, ,a :lever pivotally mounted upon the bod-ygan operative yieldable coupling between the leverand the ejector arms by which the arms are moved downwardly toward said outlet upon oscillation of the lever in one direction, cam =meansiorefieoting the movement of the ejector arm fingers inwardly simultaneously with the tion with the rods, a pair of jaw members pivota-llymounted upon the lower part of the body and each including a pair of relatively long arcuate jaw arms,-an operative coupling between the lever and said jaws whereby the pairs of jaws are moved into overlapping relation upon oscillation of the lever in the said onedirectioinand a pair of mandrel fingers supported between each pair of jaw arms and carried by the jaws for engage- ;ment iwithapair of clip legs upon the closing of the jaws to bend; the legs in crossed relation 'bec clip in a plane b d iu on r jide y j by carryingbodyandbend the legsl' jn o M w relation, means for moving said "inandre'lsfand means movably oarried hy said clip carryingbody and actuated by the mandrel moving means for extension across the juxtaposed bodies in advance of the mandrels tomove the said bodies firmly to- P17 gather in preparation clip thereto; it

18, An implement 3f the haracter stated in for the securement of the the act ofi bending the legs, A i by each mandrel in the ath ofmovement 19.jAn implement for securing to juxtaposed relatively long bodies, fastening clips of substantially U-form having spaced bendable legs; comprising a relatively long magazine housing for the 5 clips, one end of the housing being open for discharge of the clips, the said open end of the housing being formed to receive said bodies in a position to have a clip delivered in straddling position over the bodies, a fixed hand grip carried upon the other end of the housing, a lever handle pivoted at one end to the housing and movable in relation to the grip, the lever handle having a closed position in which it extends substantially parallel with the housing and an open position in which it extends laterally at an angle to the housing, a pair of coacting mandrels pivotally mounted on the housing and swingable into overlapping relation to engage and bend the clip legs into crossed relation across the juxtaposed bodies on the opposite sides of the bodies fromthe housing, and an operating coupling between the mandrels and the lever handle by which the mandrels are moved to said overlapping relation when the handle is moved from its open position to its closed position. i

20. An implement of the character stated in claim 19, with means for releasably supporting a stacked group of clips inthe housing, a pair of ejector fingers supported within the housing upon opposite sides of the group of clips, theffingers being supported for movement toward one another and toward the discharge end of the housing to engage and remove the bottom clip from the stack, and an operative coupling betweensaid fingers and the lever handle for efiecting the clip engaging and ejecting movement of the fingers in synchronized relation with the movement of the mandrels to position the removed clip in position upon the juxtaposed bodies in timedrelation with the inward movement of the mandrels.

21. An implement of the character described in Claim 19, with means for releasably supporting a stacked group of clips in the housing, a pair of movably supported ejector fingers disposed in offset the lpusig u n ppio' ite si es o h st cke {elips, j'said, fingers I being supported for movement together; and forwardly toward the youtlet end of t juxtaposed bodieswhile the mandrels are completing their clip le bending, movement. 22. An implement of theg character described ii ,1; with means forreleasablyl'supporting cited group'} of feline in the housing, a jpair singleclip from the stack, an" operative couplbetween a said; clip ejecting f ngers and the handle for. effecting the clip ejecting. mo etnenngers during the closing movement o andle and .inftimed advanced relation with" thern'ovement of the mandrels, said fingers iurther functioning to hold the removed clip H J ompletingtheirclip leglbendingmovement. and ayieldabl'eY means forming "a part ofthe coupling between the lever handle and the clip ejecting fingers for maintaining the yielding pressure by the fingers upon the ejected clip.

23. An implementof the character stated in claim 19, with movable holding fingers supported bythe magazine housing and adapted to move across the juxtaposed bodies in advance of the mandrels to engage and force the bodies into the do said formed end of the housing to maintain close clip legs are being bent thereaoross.

24. An implement for securing to juxtaposed relatively long bodies, fastening clips of substanis tially U-form having spaced bendable legs; comprising a relatively long magazine housing for the clips, one end of the housing being open for the discharge of the clips, the said open end of the housing having recesses in which the said bodies are received in position to have a clip delivered in straddling position over the bodies, a fixed hand grip carried upon the other end of the housing, a lever handle pivoted at one end to the housing and movable in relation to the grip to have a closed position in which it extends substantially parallel with thehousing and an i open position in which it extends laterally at an angle to the housing, a rock plate pivotally supported on the housing and having oppositely pc- 420 sitioned radial ears, a coupling between the rock plate and the handle toefiect turning of the rock plateby the handle, a. pair of jaws pivotally supported uponthe housing and each having a pair of horns, a link connection between each horn and anarm of the rock plate, cooperating clip leg bending mandrels each carried by a jaw and movable upon the swinging of the jaws in one direction into overlapping relation to engage and bend the legs of a clip into crossed relation and across the sides of the juxtaposed bodies opposite from the inner ends of the recesses, said mandrels being moved to said overlapping relation upon movement of the lever handle to closed position.

76 25. An implement of the character described wn ion the u taposed bodies while theinandrels contact between the juxtaposed bodies while the 

